Sheffield Wednesday need an exceptional second half to the season if they are to have any chance of challenging for the top six.

The Owls are currently ten points behind the play-offs and have really struggled to consistently perform this season.

As well as that, they’ve been hit with a major injury crisis. Nine first-team players missed the defeat against Wolves last time out and many of those players are significant losses.

Therefore, the January window could be critical for Carvalhal, or whoever is in charge, if Wednesday are to have any chance of salvaging this season.

Fortunately, one key man, Fernando Forestieri, is set to return to fitness next month which means there’s not too much pressure on bringing in additional forward options, as the creative Argentinian should transform the Wednesday attack.

However, they need to get the deals lined up now, as there really is little time to waste for the Owls.

Here we look at two players they should sign as soon as the window opens.

Erik Sviatchenko

Celtic have just announced the signing of Marvin Compper from RB Leipzig and the German may not be the only centre-back to arrive at Parkhead given he isn’t allowed to play in their Europa League campaign this season.

Either way, his arrival pushes Sviatchenko further down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers and a move seems inevitable for the Dane.

Playing in Scotland means he will understand how the British game works and will adapt straight away. Composed, good on the ball and aggressive, Sviatchenko would be an upgrade for Wednesday in a key area of the team.

Ben Marshall

Another man who will be immediately available is Ben Marshall from Wolves and he will add a lot to the Owls right-hand side.

Ross Wallace is often the player deployed in that position but he is left-footed and Marshall would bring a much better balance to the team.

The former Blackburn man is proven at this level and would settle in straight away. It’s the formation at Wolves that Nuno Santo adopts which has hindered his progress at Molineux but he could rediscover that good form at Hillsborough.

Thoughts, Wednesday fans? Let us know in the comments below.